I'm scared! Yup! And it's not what you think.

About 3 weeks ago I started walk to work. It's about 3 kilometers I think, I live just outside of town. It takes about 30 minutes. I've walked an average of 3 times a week. It's getting easier. I have been neglecting other cardio. I have a good excuse now to stop walking and start doing something else.

When I got to the highway out of our subdivision, I looked down the trail that runs with the highway and there was a wolf standing there. There was traffic and it seemed a little scare. I quickly turned around and went back home, keeing an eye on it. I'm a little freaked out and a little scared of walking out there again. It's been spotted by a few other people, who have neglected to tell me until I told them today.

I don't know if I can walk there again. It's getting warmer though and I want to be outside.My boss suggested getting bear spray, he'd get me some actually. I guess it works better on dogs than bears. I work in a forestry office by the way, we deal mostly with lands and forest issues but both my bosses have either been a conservation officer or been around lot's of wildlife.

So I might just be doing more cardio inside and using my elliptical more.

I know EXACTLY how you feel!! I am still trying to come up with a solution for myself (fortunately I am away for another 10 days).. I was thinking bear bells and bear spray myself. I have often gone for walks and spotted coyote's (little less scary than a wolf), and a bear, its very scary.. only because I get so focused on what I'm doing I often forget to make enough noise to scare an animal off.

I wish you the best of luck with this.. it can definitely be a scary and discouraging thing! It definitely is for me..

-Aimee

Very scary! I'd talk to the fish and game department and see if they can give you any tips on how to deal with it. I don't know if I'd go with the spray, you can't watch behind you as well as in front of you at the same time. Good luck with this and stay safe.

I know I usually have my discman on too! So I can hear vehicles but not people and animals. Maybe when it's busy in the summer it won't be such a big deal. We get tons of local traffic on this stretch in the summer. A lot of the summer students that come here to work stay at the camp across the bridge from here. I guess I should mentino this to the Conservation guys so they are aware, i'm sure they are but if there is more traffic and someone could get hurt maybe it would be more of a precident but I'm sure they know more about wolves than I do.

We have mountain lions where I live. Scary, but I feel bad for them. We're definitely encroaching in their world, poor things. I'm not sure if it's the same with wolves, but for the mtn. lions they say to not approach them if you see them (duh), do whatever you can to appear larger, make eye contact, don't crouch or run away, and back away slowly if you can. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Of all the wildlife I've encountered from when I lived in Labrador, wolves and polar bears really scare me. I'd have done exactly the same as you and headed back home. I think I'd be a while too before I braved that route again.

~Dee

Wow wow wow.

I am way into wolf conservation so I am super excited about your encounter! I've come across a couple of coyotes on my hikes but I won't be as lucky to see a wolf. That is breathtaking. WOW!

My mother raised me to think of animal encounters as spirits that are trying to show us something about our lives that maybe we haven't figure out yet for ourselves.

So maybe the wolf has trying to say something to YOU!
Wolf Totems

Wolves are the epitome of stamina, known to run 35 miles a day in pursuit of prey. They are highly misunderstood animals, who have gained the reputation of being cold blooded. In reality wolves are friendly and social creatures. Aggression is something they avoid, preferring rather to growl or create a posture to show dominance.

Even though living in close knit packs provide wolves with a strong sense of family, they are still able to maintain their individuality. Wolves represent the spirit of freedom, but they realize that having individual freedom requires having responsibilities.

Because wolf is a teacher and pathfinder, he comes when we need guidance in our lives. Those who have a Wolf Totem will move on to teach others about sacredness and spirituality. Wolf can also teach how to balance the responsibility of family needs and not to lose one's personal identity.

Wolf teaches us to develop strength and confidence in our decisions. He shows we will learn to trust our insights once we learn how to value our inner voice. This wisdom keeps us from inappropriate action. If wolf appears in your life examine where you need to develop more confidence and if you need more balance between friends, family, and yourself.

Wow...I love your take on that type of encounter.Closest encounter I've had with a wild(Course could have been someone's lost pet),was a very small finch type bird...not very scary,lol,but it meant alot to me.

Donna-I hope you get to continue on your outdoor walks.It's starting to get nicer out,but I know I'd be pretty scared too.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd love to see a wolf I've seen snakes, deer, cows and various small animals on my hikes. My BF says he has seen a bear once. I always look for animals.

I've thought of it being a message but this one could just be a wolf. It's been spotted several times. I spotted it last november at 5 in the morning just standing under a street light across the street. A neighbor down the street saw it at the garbage dumpster at the end of our block.

I am half native and I was talking to my good friend I grew up with who is also native and way more spiritual than i and she said the same thing. The bear in my spirit guide because this is the animal I constantly dream about. The wolf could also be another guide. I found this online about the wolf, it's pretty interesting. There could be so many messages linked to a sighting, i'm not even sure what to think.
I hope to resume my walks when I start back to work next Tues.

Wolf's Wisdom Includes:
Facing the end of one's cycle with dignity and courage
Death and rebirth
Spirit teaching
Guidance in dreams and meditations
Instinct linked with intelligence
Social and familial values
Outwitting enemies
Ability to pass unseen
Steadfastness
Skill in protection of self and family
Taking advantage of change